Eighth Sunday of Pentecost10:00 am Worship

Sunday, July 30

Fasting is one of humanity's oldest religious practices, existing in one form or another across many of the world's religious traditions. Christians today have a wide variety of practices around fasting, and some of us do little or no fasting at all. What does the ancient practice of fasting mean for us at Little River today?

Join us in worship on Sunday at 10 am as Pastor David explores this question!

This Week

Adult Summer Engagement Series

Sunday, July 30

Technology, Entertainment and Design. These are the three words that make up the acronym TED, a global sharing of wisdom from people working in a variety of vocations and disciplines. This summer, our Adult Faith Formation series will call on TED’s wisdom to open our minds and spirits to respond to our call to work towards justice and peace in our lives, communities, and around the world.

The Christian Education Board has selected a variety of topics to help further our discernment on our congregation’s Mission and Vision Statement. Each week, we will begin at 9:00 am in Room 8 with video and discussion (and end in plenty of time to get to worship). We will share in follow-ups from what we witnessed together, answering the question, "What is God calling us to do with this information?"

All are welcome to the fifth session this Sunday, July 30 as we move on to the topic, “Why we need to end the War on Drugs” presented by drug policy reformist Ethan Nadelmann. He gives two big reasons we should focus on intelligent regulation. Please come and share your thoughts. We will meet for a total of 10 weeks -- ending on September 3.

New Member Information Class

Sunday, July 30

Has God been nudging you to become a member of Little River UCC? Are you unsure but just want to learn more about our congregation? Then you are invited to our New Member Class on July 30 from 12:00 to 1:30 pm in Room 8. Child care is available, and kids are always welcome to attend the class with their adults. During this class, we will get to know one another, review church history (including Little River and its denominational roots), and even have a little fun!

Youth Art Exhibit in August

Artwork due Sunday, July 30; Exhibit takes place on Sunday, August 6

The Arts Committee invites our young artists to participate in the "For the Beauty of the Earth" Art Exhibit on August 6. Using any medium – wood or popsicle sticks, crayons or paint, yarn or fabric, glitter or gold – we want you to illustrate God's gifts of beauty in our natural world. So while you are on vacation and enjoying the great outdoors, look for love and life in all of God's creatures and creations! Any size is welcome, from small to large, but it does have to fit through the church doors! Please bring it to the church by this Sunday, July 30 and the Arts Committee will create displays for the church to see in August before you go back to school. You can bring them sooner if you are ready. Anyone from our youngest artists to college students are welcome to participate. You might even see your artwork on a future church bulletin! If you have any questions, please see
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or Spencer Jones!

Next Week and Beyond

Racial Justice Coalition

Sunday, August 6

On Sunday, August 6, the LRUCC Racial Justice Coalition (RJC) will meet in Room 8 at 11:15 am. The RJC will meet to discuss current racial justice issues and to share information across efforts. A portion of the meeting will be dedicated to small group conversation about the various efforts. Everyone who is interested in working for racial justice is invited to attend. Please contact Gail Perry or Karen Kleiber via
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with questions.

Food Pantry Reminder

Sunday, August 6

Next Sunday and every communion Sunday (normally the first Sunday of every month), we invite your gifts of non-perishable, staple food items, which are placed in our church’s FISH (For Immediate Sympathetic Help) pantry and used to help the hungry in our community.

Greenspring Ministry

Wednesday, August 9

On the second Wednesday of the month, Pastor David visits with our church members at Greenspring Village, a retirement community in Springfield. This visit happens in the Craft Room at Hunter’s Crossing from 1:30 to 2:30 pm. If you or someone you know lives at Greenspring, be sure to let them know about this opportunity to get together with their neighbors and church friends!

More Church News

Board of Trustees Meeting Update

On Tuesday, July 25, the Trustees held their monthly meeting. At that meeting, they discussed a variety of matters. The Trustees discussed staffing questions, from how to handle administrative tasks to how to incorporate a full-time Associate Pastor into the budget moving forward. The Board also now has a signed contract for a roofing company, and they plan for the work to start as soon as possible. The Trustees oversee Little River's finances, building and grounds, and office operations. They could use more volunteers to help out with each of these areas, so if you'd like to get involved, please be in touch with the Nominations and Appointments Committee!

Board of Deacons Meeting Update

The Board of Deacons met on July 25 and here are some dates and deadlines that you need to know:

September 10: Rally Day - Church Service followed by a picnic hosted by the Fellowship Committee.

November 5: Cookies for College Students - Deacons will send packages of cookies to college students.

December 7: Bereavement Tea - For families who have lost loved ones in the past year the Parish Care Committee of the Board of Deacons invites you to tea at Greenspring Retirement Community (a new location this year -- not Green Spring Garden Park as in prior years) from 1 to 3 pm.

Of potential interest to the broader congregation: The Evangelism Committee is hosting New Member Conversations. Five potential new members attended the first meeting. The second meeting will be held this Sunday (July 30) following the church service. Two new banners for the Route 236 entrance to the church property are being ordered. Following up Sunday's Listening Session - each member of the Board shared their thoughts on whether our church should become a Multi-racial and Multi-ethnic church. We encourage these complex and interesting conversations throughout the congregation. Reminder - any member of the congregation can sign-up to be the Liturgist for our church services. Contact Members of the Worship Committee - Drew Nettinga, Carolyn Johnson, or Chris Weakley. Mary Downs, one of our Deacons, is a trained Stephen Minister and proposed that we re-establish our Stephen Ministry at LRUCC. Stephen Ministers are caring lay ministry program that provides 1 on 1 support to individuals going through difficult times. At one point LRUCC had 12 trained Stephen Ministers. Interested members of the congregation should contact Mary Downs to express interest or to learn more about becoming a Stephen Minister.

RJC Listening Session Debrief

The first RJC Listening Session on the proposal for LRUCC to become a multiracial and multicultural church was convened on Sunday, July 23, 2017 in Room 8, following morning service. Approximately 25-30 congregants attended. A lively conversation ensued focused on both internal (individual and congregation) and external (outreach and monetary and voluntary engagement) commitments.

The next listening session is scheduled for Sunday, August 20, 2017 at 11:15 am in Room 8. Those who plan to attend should visit the UCC web site and read the brochure entitled, “Becoming a Multiracial and Multicultural Church: A Pronouncement and Proposal for Action.” The conversation for the August 20 listening session will focus on Section IV. Statement of Christian Conviction, A and B 1: Confession. Please come prepared with questions and/or comments. It will be helpful if congregants write their questions for future compilation.

Governance Board Meeting Update

On Sunday, July 16, Governance Board met after worship to discuss a variety of matters. At this meeting, the Board wrapped up a financial matter related to last year’s church consultant. We also received an update from the Associate Pastor Search Committee about their work. The board also reviewed several personnel questions, in part to help Pastor David prepare for annual reviews for staff. Over the coming months, the board may well be working on strategic staffing patterns for the coming years, and your prayers and ideas are most welcome!

Footsteps Planning Meeting Update

On Tuesday, July 18, a planning committee for the upcoming Footsteps trips to Hawaii gathered to assess what work needs to be done to prepare for such a trip. Given the high interest in this trip, the committee is planning a trip in August 2018 and then again in the following winter (possibly January or February 2019). While the two trips will share itineraries in Oahu and on the Big Island, the August trip will also include Kauai and the winter trip will include Maui. The committee is working hard to finalize proposals, and sign-ups for the trip will begin later this fall. Please keep your eyes on this publication for more information!

Board of Christian Education Meeting Update

The Christian Education Board, which met on Wednesday evening (July 19), will be implementing walkie-talkies in each classroom during our service, as well as providing a walkie-talkie for an usher. This is meant to facilitate communication around our building and provide, among other uses, an easy way for teachers to have a parent alerted if they are needed in a classroom.

Speaking of our teachers, we are always looking for new teachers in our Church School, whether it’s as a substitute for a week, an ongoing member of a teaching team, or a helper with our youth group. If it’s an area you have been curious about, please talk to
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or
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. Also, remember that there is a Christian Ed suggestion box awaiting your input; drop us a note to let us know what you are looking for in adult education classes.

Still Needed! Summer Church School Volunteers

Summer Church School has started and we still need volunteer teachers! Can you devote one hour of your time to make a connection with a child? If so, please contact
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or
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to share your gifts for a one week commitment, working with a partner to lead a multiage class.

Little River United Church of Christ8410 Little River TurnpikeAnnandale, VA 22003